Bear cables get a boost

Backpackers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park can continue to keep their food and packs out of reach of bears, thanks to specialty license plate funds.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has partnered with Friends of the Smokies to provide $1,100 from specialty license plate funds to repair bear cables at two park shelters. Bear cables at the Mollies Ridge shelter and Cosby Knob shelter had become damaged by weathering and use over time.

With proper use by backpackers, the repaired storage system can help reduce the number of bears raiding shelter areas in the park.

This is the third year the conservancy has provided money from the license plate funds to help reduce black bear access to backpacker food along the A.T.

The two organizations have also partnered to renovate many of the backcountry shelters along the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies and to support several other efforts to address trail maintenance and hiker safety.

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